Tag Archives: Egg White

Pisco Sour Seduces the Senses

Posted on June 14, 2010 | Leave a comment

Though the Pisco Sour has the reputation for placing one under the table for its rather strong spirited influence when consumed in more than moderate doses, it comes across rather lightly on the tongue. Rather deceiving if one lets their guard down. Possibly the fluffy foam floating deceptively across the top of the cocktail with airy innocence lures one in. It could be the gentle sweetness with slight tartness around the edges. Whatever the source of enticement, this deviously delicious cocktail teases with temptingly delightful enchantment. A definite must try.

Pisco Sour

2 ounces Pisco

1/2 ounce Fresh Lime Juice

1/2 ounce Simple Syrup

2 Dashes Classic Bitters

1 Fresh Egg White

Lime Twist Garnish

Place liquid ingredients in cocktail shaker. Dry shake. Add ice. Shake vigorously to blend and chill. Strain into cocktail glass. Garnish with fresh lime twist.

Cheri Loughlin is a leading cocktail and photography resource for beverage companies, event planners, businesses and individuals. High resolution cocktail and beverage stock photography images are available in downloadable digital format in the newly redesigned Stock Photography Gallery at www.cheriloughlin.com.

Twitter, Facebook, StumbleUpon – str8upcocktails @ gmail.com – ©2012 Cheri Loughlin-The Intoxicologist, All Rights Reserved. All opinions, reviews and spirits’ coverage are the personal opinion and decision of Cheri Loughlin.

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Posted in Classic Cocktails

Tagged Classic Bitters, Classic Cocktail, Egg White, Fresh Lime, Pisco, Simple Syrup

Tequila Cazadores: More Than Margaritas – It’s a Cocktail Tease

Posted on April 29, 2010 | 1 Comment

Cinco de Mayo rounds the corner soon. The United States and other countries often adopt celebrations from other countries, merging customs and traditions with their own celebratory styles. Cinco de Mayo, historically a celebration of Mexico’s independence of France, is often confused for Mexican Independence Day commemorated as a result of the Mexican War of Independence. Both celebrations aptly include tequila as base spirit for the widely popular Margarita and traditional Sangrita with chilled tequila shooter. However with classic cocktails and contemporary styled martinis so popular, it pays to explore options beyond the obvious.

Tequila Cazadores Reposado

Aroma: Hints of sweetness, dry grass, slight caramel – but only briefly

Tasted Neat: Contains a lot of burn, fresh mown grass, slightly less sweetness in the taste from what the aroma suggests, tinge of milky cream

Finish lingers only faintly, possibly five to seven seconds at most. Suggestion of butteriness that doesn’t quite pan out in the full flavor. Leaves me wanting for something more that just isn’t there in the final taste. Nice texture and character, but not my idea of the ideal sipping tequila. Definitely see 100% de Agave Tequila Cazadores as the chilled shot tequila variety for those wanting a quick fix solution or margarita style tequila. After a little recipe exploration and cocktail shaker play, Tequila Cazadores mixes well in cocktails one wouldn’t necessarily expect.

Teaser – adapted by Cheri Loughlin

1 ounce Tequila Cazadores

1 ounce Cointreau

1 ounce Fresh Lime Juice

1 Egg White

1/3 ounce Licor 43

Orange Twist

Combine all liquid ingredients in a cocktail shaker. Dry shake vigorously to blend egg white with mixture. Add ice. Shake thoroughly. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with fresh orange twist.

Many versions of the Teaser combine tequila and triple sec with orange and grapefruit juices on the rocks. The version above is an adaptation from the Teaser cocktail found in A Pocket Guide to Cocktails. My adapted version calls for Licor 43 to round out the edges, pull a little of the buttery feel that didn’t quite come through in the first tasting of Cazadores, add a hint of vanilla to take away so much of the acidic tartness of the original Teaser recipe and include a wee burst of orange with specific Cointreau and orange zest. The cocktail still contains a little tartness which was intended, but with mellow sweetness buried within. Rather than Teaser it could now be referred to as a temptation.

Tequila Cazadores sample provided by brand representatives.

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Posted in Cocktails, Reviews

Tagged Cinco de Mayo, Cointreau, Egg White, Fresh Lime, Licor 43, Tequila, Tequila Cazadores

Classic Clover Club Cocktail Through The Rose Club Colored Glasses

Posted on February 18, 2010 | Leave a comment

Though The Rose Club’s Clover Club cocktail did not arrive in my glass quite as pink as the one shown here, it did win me over at first taste as light, refreshing and completely satisfying. For those who say they do not like gin, the Clover Club just might be the cocktail to begin tippling the toes into the merry waters of gin. This is not the stringent gin cocktail from days of yore.

Try as I might to pay close attention to all the ingredients and the skill of the astute bartender, Heather Buesing, the recipe below is as close to their version as this recipe will venture. My belief is bars and bartenders like to keep their best kept secrets close to the measuring cup, so I tend not to ask for exact measurements or take photos when out. Trade secrets keep customers talking and keep them coming back. Thank you Heather for great service and terrific cocktails!

Clover Club – Adapted by Cheri Loughlin

Inspiration: The Rose Club, The Plaza Hotel, NYC

Approximately 5 Fresh Raspberries

1-1/2 ounce Gin

1 Egg White*

1/2 ounce Fresh Lemon Juice

1/2 ounce Simple Syrup*

2 Fresh Raspberries Garnish

Muddle raspberries gently three or four times only. Do not turn into mush. Add Gin, egg white, lemon juice and simple syrup. Dry shake vigorously. Add ice to mixing tin. Shake again to chill. Strain into chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with skewered fresh raspberries. *If you have an aversion to fresh egg cocktails don’t go without this classic. Use pasteurized Egg Beaters Liquid Egg Whites instead in the portion specified as 1 measurement instead. It isn’t quite the same, but definitely worth sampling. Grenadine may be exchanged for simple syrup for more color and slight alteration in taste.

Interesting to note:

The Savoy Cocktail Book lists the Clover Club Cocktail with Juice of either 1/2 Lemon or Lime, 1/3 Grenadine, 1 Egg White and 2/3 Dry Gin. Directions: Shake well and strain into a medium size glass.

Dale DeGroff’s Essential Cocktail Book lists the Clover Club as 1-1/2 ounces Gin, 3/4 ounce Simple Syrup, 3/4 ounce Fresh Lemon Juice, 1/2 teaspoon Grenadine and 1 small Egg White. Directions: Add liquids except egg white to cocktail shaker. Whip egg white separately. Add half of whipped egg white to cocktail shaker and save the other half for another cocktail. Shake cocktail shaker mixture. Strain into chilled cocktail shaker.

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Posted in Classic Cocktails

Tagged Dale DeGroff, Egg Beaters, Egg White, Fresh Lemon, Gin, Grenadine, Raspberries, Simple Syrup, The Essential Cocktail, The Plaza Hotel, The Rose Club, The Savoy Cocktail Book

Fun & Flirty Cocktail Recipes

Posted on January 16, 2010 | Leave a comment

Be still my heart…

There are movies, men and moments in life that make a woman weak in the knees, but as the saying goes; “there’s nothing quicker, than liquor.” All kidding aside words of romance strike whimsical fancy in some people’s book while strumming a chord of cheesy Hallmark moment in another. Allow the world of fanciful daydream filled with starry nights and fluttering eyelashes collide.

Whether your chosen moment is Valentine’s Day, Girl’s Night Out, Bachelorette Party or Couple’s Night In, enjoy the moment with a few cocktails that capture moments of love and romance in a fun, flirty sort of style.

Passion – strong emotion, adoration, love, intensely powerful emotion, craving, amorous affection and desire felt by lovers for each other

Passion Rouge – created by Francesco LaFranconi

1 measure Premium Orange Liqueur

1 measure Passion Fruit Liqueur

3/4 measure Passion Fruit Puree

3/4 measure Orange Juice

2 dashes Classic Bitters

1/2 measure Egg White

1 measure Champagne

Orange Twist & Grated Nutmeg Garnish

Combine liquids except champagne in cocktail shaker with ice. Shake to blend and chill. Add champagne. Swirl to blend. Strain into chilled martini glass. Garnish with grated nutmeg and orange twist.

Kiss – buss, osculation, smack, graze, butterfly, French, to touch or caress with the lips, especially as a sign of ardor or affection

Cherry Kiss Martini – created by Jim Hewes

2 measures Vodka

1/4 measure Godiva Chocolate Liqueur

Maraschino Cherry

Coat chilled martini glass with chocolate liqueur. Place maraschino cherry in well of coated glass. Pour chilled vodka into prepared glass.

Midnight – bewitching hour when all enchantment begins, temptation arises, enticement wins out and fascinating tales begin to weave charming stories of excitement and pleasure

Between the Sheets

1 measure Brandy

1 measure Rum

1 measure Premium Orange Liqueur

1/2 measure Lemon Juice

Simple Syrup – to taste

Combine liquids in cocktail shaker with ice. Shake to blend and chill. Strain into chilled cocktail glass.

Heart – essence, character, soul, compassion, tenderness, zest, moxie, spirit

Peg o’ My Heart

2 measures Dark Rum

1 measure Lime Juice

1/2 measure Grenadine

Combine liquids in cocktail shaker with ice. Shake to blend and chill. Strain into chilled cocktail glass.

Flutter – tremble, oscillate, throb, shiver, flitter, dance, to move quickly, lightly and unsteadily as if with wings

Liquid Joy

2 measures Rum

3 measures Pineapple Juice

3 measures Ginger Ale

Build in highball glass over fresh ice. Stir with sip straw.

Love – adoration, rapture, enchantment, ardor, fervor, yearning, fascination, ardent affection, desire felt by lovers for one another

Lover’s Moon

1-3/4 measure Bourbon

1-1/2 measure Macadamia Nut Liqueur

1 measure Heavy Cream

Maraschino Cherry Garnish

Combine liquids in cocktail shaker with ice. Shake to blend and chill. Strain into chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with maraschino cherry. Double recipe to share under lover’s moon.

Smitten – infatuated, stricken, intense romantic attraction, lust

P.S. I Love You

3/4 measure Irish Cream

3/4 measure Amaretto

1/2 measure Rum

1/2 measure Coffee Liqueur

3/4 measure Heavy Cream

Grated Chocolate Garnish

Combine liquids in cocktail shaker with ice. Shake to blend and chill. Strain into chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with grated chocolate.

Rendezvous – affair, tete-a-tete, tryst, love nest, secretly unite

Ritz of New York

1 measure Cognac

1/2 measure Premium Orange Liqueur

1/8 measure Maraschino Liqueur

1/2 measure Lemon Juice

2-1/2 measure Brut Champagne

Orange Peel Garnish

Combine liquids except champagne in cocktail shaker with ice. Shake to blend and chill. Strain into champagne flute or coupe. Top with champagne. Garnish with orange twist.

Heaven – bliss, ecstasy, rapture, Utopia, nirvana, harmony, elated pleasure

Honeymoon Cocktail

1-1/2 measure Applejack

1 measure Benedictine

2 teaspoons Orange Curacao

3/4 measure Lemon Juice

Combine liquids in cocktail shaker with ice. Shake to blend and chill. Strain into chilled cocktail glass.

Twitter, Facebook, StumbleUpon – str8upcocktails @ gmail.com – ©2011 Cheri Loughlin-The Intoxicologist, All Rights Reserved. All opinions, reviews and spirits’ coverage are the personal opinion and decision of Cheri Loughlin.

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Posted in Valentine's & Lover's Cocktails

Tagged Amaretto, Applejack, Benedictine, Bourbon, Brandy, Champagne, Chocolate, Chocolate Liqueur, Classic Bitters, Coffee Liqueur, Cognac, Egg White, Fresh Lemon, Ginger Ale, Girl's Night Out, Godiva, Grenadine, Heavy Cream, Irish Cream, Luxardo Maraschino Liqueur, Macadamia Nut Liqueur, Orange Curacao, Orange Juice, Passion Fruit Liqueur, Passion Fruit Nectar, Pineapple Juice, Premium Orange Liqueur, Rum, Simple Syrup, Valentine's Day, Vodka

Cherry Samba

Posted on December 3, 2009 | Leave a comment

What often interests me is what is being stirred, shaken and whipped up in kitchens across the United States. When best friends get together for girls night out, what are they mixing up with the bottle they purchased at the liquor store?

Cherry Samba – ala Julianna Cain

1 measure Cherry Brandy

1 measure Cachaca

1 measure Lemon Juice

1 Egg White

1 measure White Cranberry

Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake vigorously until egg is nice and frothy. Strain into a champagne flute.

The ingredients Julianna mentioned intrigued me, so I wanted to try this drink recipe right away. However, traditional cranberry juice is all I had stocked at the time. White cranberry juice is a little sweeter. That being said before my tasting notation; Cherry Samba tastes great with a hint of bitter edge to it. It does not veer too far to the sweet side like so many cocktails on bar martini listings today. As Julianna aptly recognizes in her area of the country, many consumers are a little put off by raw egg white in cocktails, but it adds such nice froth to the drink. The egg white is unrecognizable in the flavor of the drink. If you make this cocktail for friends, they will never realize it is in there.

Cheri Samba – adapted by Cheri Loughlin

3/4 measure Cherry Brandy

1 measure Cachaca

3/4 measure Cranberry Juice

1/4 measure Fresh Lemon Juice

1 Egg White

Maraschino Cherry Garnish

Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake vigorously until egg white is frothy. Strain into a champagne flute. Garnish with speared maraschino cherry.

Since many like a little sweetness added to the cocktail the Cheri Samba tweaks the original version Julianna sent out and adds a little variety with hint of sweetness. The Cachaca comes through slightly more with a hint of sweet softness since the fresh lemon juice is dialed back in this version. Maraschino cherry garnish is definitely not needed for taste, but adds a nice finishing touch.

I would love to know what you mix up at home for your Girls Night Out, Poker Night or what your specialty drink happens to be. Consumers of the United States are picking up bottles of spirits off the shelf of liquor stores and consuming them neat, on the rocks, in long drinks and cocktails. Email me… what cocktail have you created?

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Posted in Cocktails

Tagged Cachaca, Cherry Brandy, Cranberry Juice, Egg White, Fresh Lemon, Girl's Night Out

Jingle My Bells Christmas Cocktails

Posted on December 1, 2009 | 1 Comment

The holiday spirit abounds from the time Thanksgiving weekend begins to the time New Year counts down. Cocktail parties for the office, friends and neighbors provide occasions for gatherings with differing needs. One might need punches and coffees for neighbors stopping in for a moment or two with greetings. Family and friend type holiday parties require classic cocktails and specifically chosen martinis to suit particular palates since the gathering means hours of nibbling finger food and chatting over good times. Office parties might suggest simpler martinis and cocktail recipes with fewer ingredients that still keep within the classic style yet appeal to a broader audience.

Put a little Holiday Cheer into your season with a few of the seasonal drink recipes below. Stay tuned to The Intoxicologist site for more festive cocktail recipes for all your party needs.

Christmas Fizz

2 ounces Right Gin

2 teaspoon Cranberry Jam

1 ounce Sweet Vermouth

1 ounce Fresh Lemon Juice

1/2 ounce Simple Syrup

1 Egg White

1 dash Peychaud’s Bitters

2 ounces Sparkling Water

Lemon Wedge and Cranberry Garnish

Place all liquid ingredients except sparkling water in mixing glass with ice. Shake vigorously until frothy. Add sparkling water to highball glass over fresh ice. Top with strained cocktail shaker mixture. Garnish with lemon wedge and cranberry.

Jack Frost

2 ounces Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey

2 Tablespoons Cherry Juice or Grenadine

1/4 cup Orange Juice

1/4 cup Sour Mix

Maraschino Cherries Garnish

Combine all liquid ingredients in cocktail shaker with ice. Shake to chill. Strain into rocks glass over fresh ice. Garnish with maraschino cherries.

p.i.n.k. Christmas Cocktail

1-1/2 ounce p.i.n.k. Vodka

1-1/2 ounce Godiva White Chocolate Liqueur

1 ounce Half & Half Cream

Splash of Frangelico

Splash of Chambord

Red Raspberries Garnish

Combine liquids in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake vigorously until frothy. Pour into a chilled martini glass. Garnish with skewered red raspberries.

Holiday Sangria – created by Chef Ryan Scott

1 bottle Dry Red Wine

1/4 cup Brown Sugar

1 cup Orange Juice

1 Orange, thinly sliced

1 Lemon, thinly sliced

2 whole Pink Grapefruit, peeled, seeded and segmented

1 Papaya, diced

1 Mango, diced

3/4 cup Red Grapes, halved

2 bottles Zipang Sparkling Sake

4 cups Ice cubes

Place wine and brown sugar in large pitcher. Stir until sugar is completely dissolved. Add in orange juice and fruits. Let mixture stand for 30 minutes. Divide between 8 serving glasses. Pour over fresh ice. Top with sake.

Corzo Holly

1-1/2 parts Corzo Reposado Tequila

3/4 part Fresh Lime Juice

1 part Simple Syrup

3 Fresh Strawberries – Quartered

3 Fresh Basil Leaves

1/8 part Balsamic Vinegar

Fresh Strawberry Garnish

Muddle strawberries, basil leaves and vinegar in mixing glass. Add remaining liquid ingredients with ice. Shake to blend and chill. Strain into chilled martini glass. Garnish with fresh sliced strawberry.

Cazadorez Mistletoe Margarita

1-1/2 parts Tequila Cazadores Reposado

2 parts Pomegranate Juice

1/2 part Sour Mix

1/2 part Triple Sec

1/2 part Grenadine

Splash Fresh Lime Juice

Lime Wedge Garnish

Salt for Rim

Rim edge of rocks glass with salt if desired. Set aside. Combine all liquid ingredients in cocktail shaker with ice. Shake to blend and chill. Strain into rocks glass over fresh ice. Garnish with lime wedge.

Silent Dos Lunas Night

1 ounce Dos Lunas Silver Tequila

1 ounce Pomegranate Juice

Chilled Champagne

Place tequila and pomegranate juice in cocktail shaker with ice. Shake to chill. Strain into chilled champagne flute. Top with champagne. Stir gently.

42Below Holiday Punch

1-1/2 parts 42Below Passionfruit

1 part Fresh Lime Juice

1/2 part Martini Rosso

1/2 part Benedictine

1 part Red Wine

1 part Spiced Syrup* (cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla, orange peel, clove and star anise)

2 part Pink Grapefruit Juice

Garnish with fruits of choice.

*Spiced Syrup – 2 parts Sugar, 1 part water: Dissolve over low heat with cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla, orange peel, clove and star anise spices added in. Allow to cool.

Place all ingredients in large pitcher. Stir. Add large block of ice. Serve immediately.

G’ingle Bell

1 ounce G’vine Nouaison

1/4 ounce Lillet Blanc

1/2 ounce Apple Liqueur

1/2 ounce Simple syrup

1/4 ounce Lime Juice

Place ingredients in cocktail shaker with ice. Shake to blend and chill. Strain into cocktail glass.

Sleigh Ride

4 ounces Hot Apple Cider

1 ounce Averna

2 ounces Whiskey

1/2 teaspoon Honey

Cinnamon Stick

Place Averna and whiskey in heat proof mug. Add hot cider and honey. Stir with cinnamon stick. Allow cinnamon stick to infuse into drink for a few minutes before serving.

Christmas Snowball

1/4 ounce Anisette or Pernod Absinthe

1/4 ounce Crème de Violette

1/4 ounce Heavy Cream

1/4 ounce White Crème de Menthe

1 ounce Plymouth Gin

Place all ingredients in cocktail shaker with ice. Shake thoroughly to blend and chill. Strain into chilled champagne flute.

Tinsel Bellini

2 ounces HPNOTIQ

1 ounce Limoncello

1 ounce Champagne

Splash of lime juice

Sugar for Rim

Rim chilled champagne flute with sugar. Set aside. Place Hpnotiq, limoncello and lime juice in mixing glass with ice. Stir or shake to chill. Strain into sugar rimmed champagne flute. Top with champagne.

White Christmas

1 ounce Right Gin

1 ounce Baileys Irish Cream

1/2 ounce Bénédictine

1/2 ounce Half & Half

Fresh Grated Nutmeg and Cinnamon Garnish

Place all liquid ingredients in mixing glass with ice. Shake to blend and chill. Strain into cocktail glass or dessert wine glass. Dust with nutmeg and cinnamon.

Candy Cane Swirl

1 ounce SKYY Infusions Raspberry

3 ounces Cranberry Juice

1/2 ounce Grenadine

1/2 ounce Peppermint Schnapps

Sprite or 7Up

Candy Canes

Rim chilled martini glass with crushed candy cane. Combine SKYY Vodka, Peppermint Schnapps, Cranberry Juice and Grenadine into a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake vigorously to chill. Strain into candy cane rimmed martini glass. Top with splash of Sprite. Garnish with small peppermint candy cane.

Berry Merry Christmas

1-1/4 ounce Right Gin

3/4 ounce Pomegranate Liqueur

2 ounce Pomegranate Blueberry Juice

1/4 ounce Blueberry Syrup

3 dashes Blood Orange Bitters

2 wedges Lime (squeezed)

1 ounce Sparkling Wine

Fresh Strawberries and Blueberries Garnish

Place all liquids except sparkling wine into cocktail shaker with ice. Shake to chill. Strain into highball glass over fresh ice. Top with sparkling wine. Garnish with sliced strawberries and blueberries.

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Posted in Christmas Cocktails

Tagged Absinthe, Amaro, Apple Liqueur, Balsamic Vinegar, Benedictine, Bitters, Blueberry Juice, Champagne, Chocolate Liqueur, Cider, Creme de Menthe, Creme de Violette, Egg White, Fresh Lemon, Fresh Lime, Gin, Grapefruit Juice, Grapes, Grenadine, Half & Half, Hazelnut Liqueur, Heavy Cream, Honey, Hpnotiq, Irish Cream, Lemon Lime Soda, Lillet Blanc, Limoncello, Orange Bitters, Orange Juice, Passion Fruit Vodka, Peppermint Schnapps, Pomegranate Juice, Raspberry Liqueur, Raspberry Vodka, Sake, Simple Syrup, Sour Mix, Strawberries, Tequila, Triple Sec, Vodka, Whiskey, Wine

Dabbling with the White Lady Cocktail

Posted on October 14, 2009 | Leave a comment

Often the process of getting to the drink is just as fun as sipping it. I had the pleasure of sampling the White Lady cocktail at Tales of the Cocktail 2009 at the Welcome Reception hosted by Beefeater 24 this summer. At some point it had to make its way to the site by way of my own mixing tin. Yet, the cocktail recipe’s inclusion of egg whites makes my stomach do these crazy little flip flops due to the raw factor. It isn’t fear of poisoning. It’s the icky, sticky slick factor that wrenches at my gut. My solution has been Egg Beaters.

Yes, mixologists the world over are cringing at the thought. However, if it is truly the only way someone can ever enjoy a cocktail with eggs whipped in, I say go for it. Pasteurized eggs will never be the same as cracking open a fresh one and slipping it in a cocktail tin, but go for a carton of egg white just to try a few eggy drinks once in a while.

White Lady – adapted by Peter Dorelli

2 parts Gin

1 part Premium Orange Liqueur

1 part Lemon Juice

1/4 part Simple Syrup

1 Egg White

Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake until frothy. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass.

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Posted in Classic Cocktails

Tagged Egg White, Fresh Lemon, Gin, Premium Orange Liqueur, Simple Syrup

Cocktail Recipes Enter The Twilight Zone

Posted on October 1, 2009 | Leave a comment

You are now entering The Twilight Zone…of cocktail recipes that is. The Twilight Zone aired as a television series fifty years ago today, a full decade before I was born. Yet, I remember bits and pieces of the series like most TV goers in varying ranges of age. The show is iconic with a few revivals and 156 original episodes. Perhaps its cult-like following through the years had to do with its peculiar plot twists woven in with a bit of whimsy and science fiction fantasy. We’ve all heard the saying that truth is stranger than fiction. In the case of Rod Serling’s capricious, fanciful tales – the twist of fate and unknown is perhaps the most unnerving as its truth hits closest to home as it drives each of our inner fears tapping at what niggles at the demon inside each of us.

Perhaps most interesting about The Twilight Zone are favorite episodes among viewers. There are of course the Top 10 Favorite Twilight Zone Episodes as chosen by registered users on tv.com. What about the favorites that you, readers of The Intoxicologist site, Twitter and Facebook users have chosen? Rod Serling touched on trepidation or intrigue with his characters and woven tale in these reader favorites.

Nightmare at 20,000 Feet made the list of reader favorites and tv.com Top 10 Favorite Twilight Zone Episodes. It was described as ‘spooky’ by one. William Shatner starred. While flying high on a plane he looks out to capture sight of a Gremlin trying to disengage the aircraft of its engine. The problem is he already has a history of being a bit crazy and no one else sees the Gremlin.

Green Devil

2 ounces Gin

1/2 ounce Lime Cordial

1/4 ounce Green Crème de Menthe

Combine ingredients in a mixing glass with ice. Shake to blend. Strain into a rocks glass over fresh ice.

Green Devil definitely carries minty lime undercurrent. The mint lingers heavily in the finish and warmth through the throat. Color is perfectly lime Jell-O green making this an excellent color for the holiday time of year or save it for St. Patrick’s Day celebrations.

Gremlin

1-1/2 ounce Vodka

3/4 ounce Blue Curacao

3/4 ounce Rum

Splash Orange Juice

Place liquids in mixing glass with ice. Shake to blend and chill. Strain into a cocktail glass.

Ever want to win something so badly you’ll say a prayer, whisper something under your breath or just promise, promise, promise to do anything for it? Jesse Cardiff did and champion pool player Fats Brown rose from the dead in a fog filled pool room. A Game of Pool doesn’t rank in the Top Ten, but it does teach a valuable lesson…careful what you wish for. Jesse bets his life on a wish.

Lady Luck

1/2 ounce Armagnac

1/2 ounce Pear Liqueur

Champagne

Pear Slice Garnish

Combine Armagnac and pear liqueur in mixing glass with ice. Stir to chill. Strain into champagne flute. Top with champagne. Garnish with pear slice.

Lady Luck tastes a lot like…champagne. Lovely and festive without going overboard on pear flavor. Possibly up the Armagnac to 3/4 ounce for a little more ‘umph’. If you’re going to use it for flavor, you might as well taste it. This drink recipe would be ideal for holiday parties.

Death Wish

1 part Grenadine

1 part Bourbon

1 part Peppermint Schnapps

1 part 151 Rum

Layer ingredients in the order given in a pony glass or shooter.

Time Enough at Last has been parodied on many shows even The Simpsons. Even so, it doesn’t merit a ranking on tv.com by its registered voters. What’s up with that?! It did however get listed as #25 on TV Guide/TV Land’s 100 Hundred Most Memorable TV Moments. Guess that speaks for something.

Fancy Free Cocktail

2 ounces Bourbon

1/2 ounce Luxardo Maraschino Liqueur

1 dash Classic Bitters

1 dash Orange Bitters

Combine in a mixing glass with ice. Stir to chill. Strain into a cocktail glass.

Fancy Free is entirely too sweet for my palate, but the bitters do add nice spicy kick to this bourbon cocktail. Maybe tone down the sugar factor by decreasing the Luxardo Maraschino Liqueur to 1/4 ounce to add flavor balance without so much sugar rush.

Fine & Dandy

2 ounces Canadian Whiskey

1/2 ounce Dubonnet Rouge

1/2 ounce Triple Sec

Lemon Twist Garnish

Combine liquids in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake to blend and chill. Strain into a cocktail glass. Garnish with lemon twist.

Mirror Image was an unusual choice for Halloween themed shows airing at the time. Rod Serling said that this story was based on a real-life experience that he had. Perhaps it was all just a sense of déjà vu for Rod Serling or he had just been in a bus station before.

According to The Bartender’s Best Friend by Mardee Haidin Regan the following Pink Lady cocktail is an updated formulation to the original 1930’s classic cocktail recipe.

Pink Lady

2 ounces Gin

1/2 ounce Heavy Cream

2 dashes Grenadine

1 Egg White

Place ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake thoroughly to blend and chill. Strain into a cocktail glass.

Pink Lady was chosen for the demure female character that has a most unlikely breakdown among strangers. Not only is the Pink Lady a classic cocktail recipe, it is light on flavor, not even remotely sweet, tart or tangy. Gin sifts through gently as if on a cloud of fluff. This is delightful.

Greyhound

2-1/2 ounces Vodka

4 ounces Grapefruit Juice

Build over ice in a highball glass. Stir.

While most of us say we would never, ever relive our teenage years…just once wouldn’t it be kind of cool to glance at what we were like as kids? For scientific purposes of course! That way we would have proof for our kids that we never, ever behaved the way they do. Just saying… Walking Distance is about a man who revisits his past and meets up with things that could change his future.

Merry-Go-Round Martini

2 parts Gin

1/2 part Dry Vermouth

1/2 part Sweet Vermouth

Olive & Lemon Zest Twist Garnish

Stir in ice. Strain into martini glass.

I’m not sure what the olive does for this cocktail other than create an intriguing garnish, but the drink spins out rather stunningly. Great fall color with a touch of perfect vermouth balance.

Bitter-Sweet

1 ounce Sweet Vermouth

1 ounce Dry Vermouth

2 dashes Classic Bitters

Lemon Twist Garnish

Pour vermouths and bitters in a mixing tin with ice. Stir until thoroughly chilled. Strain into a cocktail glass. Garnish with lemon twist.

Quote: “To Serve Man” was the scariest Twilight Zone of my childhood. – from a Twitter user. Was it the aliens or the extremely creepy ending? I never actually saw this episode, but only read the review. I had to do a double take. Talk about gruesome! If there were parental advisories back in the day, this episode would have had one for sinister factor.

Red Death

1/2 ounce Vodka

1/2 ounce Sloe Gin

1/2 ounce Southern Comfort

1/2 ounce Triple Sec

2-1/2 ounces Orange Juice

Combine ingredients in a mixing glass. Stir. Pour into a highball glass over fresh ice.

Red Death is sensational, but leans toward the sweeter side of cocktails. It has unusual kick to it in the middle and finishing taste. If one has to hang with the Martians and go and untimely death…what a way to sip at it.

Allies Cocktail

1 ounce Gin

1 ounce Dry Vermouth

1/4 ounce Kummel

Place liquids in a mixing glass with ice. Shake to chill. Strain into a cocktail glass.

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Posted in Cocktails, Daily Holidays

Tagged Armagnac, Blue Curacao, Bourbon, Canadian Whisky, Champagne, Classic Bitters, Creme de Menthe, Dry Vermouth, Dubonnet, Egg White, Gin, Grapefruit Juice, Grenadine, Heavy Cream, Kummel, Lime Cordial, Luxardo Maraschino Liqueur, Orange Bitters, Orange Juice, Pear Liqueur, Peppermint Schnapps, Rum, Sloe Gin, Southern Comfort, Sweet Vermouth, The Twilight Zone, Triple Sec, Vodka

Top 10 Classic Cocktails

Posted on August 30, 2009 | Leave a comment

In honor of The Late Show with David Letterman’s premier on CBS on August 30, 1993, The Intoxicologist site has chosen to run down a list of Top 10 Classic Cocktails as chosen by participants of a question asked on Twitter several weeks ago. The question was simple: What are your top 10 favorite classic cocktails? The answers below are the classic cocktail recipes that popped up in the Q&A discussion that 21 Must Try Classic Cocktail Recipes did not already cover. Sample a few and see what you may be missing.

Blue Moon

2 parts Gin

3/4 parts Parfait Amour

1/2 part Fresh Lemon Juice

1/2 Fresh Egg White

Orange Zest Twist Garnish

Combine all liquid ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake to blend and chill. Strain into a martini glass. Garnish with a fresh orange twist that has been zested over the cocktail.

Gimlet

3 parts Plymouth Gin

1 part Lime Cordial

Lime Wedge Garnish

Combine liquid ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice. Stir to blend and chill. Strain into a martini glass. Garnish with lime wedge.

The name sounds quite appropriate for a rainy day as does the color of this particular mixed drink. However the flavor is not ‘easy, breezy, laid back’ in my opinion. It is however pleasant. Ginger beer packs a small wallop with its ginger kick and bubbly fizz. The tingly effect definitely keeps one from drifting off into cozy slumber on a rainy afternoon. Dark & Stormy is a great drink for an afternoon round at the pub if beer is not your thing. It is also a great refreshing mixed drink that is quick and easy to whip up on a warm afternoon.

Dark & Stormy

2 parts Goslings Black Seal Rum

4 parts Ginger Beer

Lime Wedge Garnish

Build in a Collins glass over fresh ice. Garnish with a lime wedge.

Pimm’s Cup

1-1/2 ounce Pimm’s No. 1

Sprite

Cucumber Spear & Green Apple Slice Garnish

Build over ice in a high ball glass. Garnish with cucumber spear and green apple slice.

Some like full on absinthe in their Sazerac for bursting with flavor anise feel. My preference follows the more subtle feel. The recipe below gives the full amount of Pernod measurement but my choice was to use it as a wash in the glass. If you prefer a little less sweet, go for the 1/4 ounce Simple Syrup. You can always go back to add more in later. The Sazerac is a New Orleans classic cocktail staple. Sazerac Rye is traditional for use in this cocktail, however mine was built with (r1) Straight Rye Whiskey. It is what was on hand and honestly, it tastes rather delicious!

Sazerac

2 ounces Rye Whiskey

1/4 to 1/2 ounce Simple Syrup

5 dashes Peychaud’s Bitters

2 dashes Angostura Bitters

1/4 ounce Absinthe

Lemon Twist Garnish

Pack a rocks glass with crushed ice. Lace Pernod around outer edge of glass containing crushed ice. Set aside. Combine Rye Whiskey, simple syrup and bitters in a mixing glass with ice. Shake to chill. Toss Pernod laced ice out of chilled glass. Strain contents of mixing glass into chilled rocks glass. Zest fresh lemon twist over glass and garnish.

Hurricane – Dale DeGroff, The Essential Cocktail

1 ounce Myers’s Dark Rum

1 ounce Light Rum

1/2 ounce Galliano

2 ounces Fresh Orange Juice

2 ounces Pineapple Juice

1 ounce Passion Fruit Nectar

3/4 ounce Fresh Lime Juice

1 ounce Simple Syrup

Dash Classic Bitters

Fresh Pineapple Garnish

Combine liquids in a mixing glass with ice. Shake to blend and chill. Strain into a ice-filled Hurricane glass. Garnish with skewer of Pineapple.

According to the Bols Genever website The Holland House classic cocktail was the signature drink of the Holland House cocktail bar in New York. Harry Craddock, most notable for is bartending days at the Savoy Hotel in London, once worked at the Holland House. This cocktail comes across a bit strong with the lemon, possibly a little tart or sharp. It is a favorite among many and being revived with the ‘newer’ styles of gin on the market that are less biting with their juniper tones and more rounded out with mellowing delicateness in the flavor.

The Holland House

1-3/4 parts Bols Genever

3/4 part Noilly Prat Dry Vermouth

1/2 part Fresh Lemon Juice

1/4 part Maraschino Liqueur

Lemon Zest Twist

Add ingredients to a mixing glass with ice. Shake to chill. Strain into a martini glass. Garnish with lemon zest twist.

Moscow Mule

1-1/2 parts Vodka

4 parts Ginger Beer

Lime Wedge Garnish

Build over ice. Garnish with a lime wedge.

Don the Beachcomber was a shrewd businessman who kept his drink recipes close to the chest without sharing them definitively with anyone. For this simple reason his famous cocktails have been duplicated by bartenders worldwide, but none can claim to be the ‘original’ recipe. There are many variations to the Zombie. The recipe below is one that doesn’t come from a mix and is easier to assemble with ingredients one can find in relatively any market. However, do check out the recipe Dale DeGroff puts together in his book, The Essential Cocktail.

Zombie

1/4 ounce Fresh Squeezed Lime Juice

1/4 ounce Fresh Squeezed Lemon Juice

3/4 ounce Fresh Squeezed Orange Juice

3/4 ounce Fresh Passion Fruit Puree

1/4 ounce Grenedine

1/2 ounce Orange Curacao or Apricot Brandy

1 oz Dark Rum

1/2 ounce Light Rum

2 Dashes Classic Bitters

1/2 oz Overproof Rum such as 151 – Optional

Sprig of Fresh Mint & Fresh fruit Garnish

Combine liquids in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake to blend and chill. Strain into a tall thin glass filled two-thirds with ice. Garnish with mint sprigs and fresh fruit.

Ramos Gin Fizz

2 parts Beefeater London Dry Gin

1 part Heavy Cream

1 Egg White

1/2 part Simple Syrup

1/2 part Lemon Juice

1/2 part Lime Juice

3 Drops Orange Flower Water

1 part Club Soda

Lemon Wheel Garnish

Combine all ingredients (except soda water & garnish) in a cocktail shaker with ice. Strain into a highball glass filled with fresh ice. Top with club soda. Garnish with lemon wheel.

And just because someone always has to get in The Last Word… there are actually eleven cocktail recipes on this list thanks to Chartreuse guru, Todd Richman.

The Last Word

3/4 part Gin

3/4 part Green Chartreuse

3/4 part Luxardo Maraschino Liqueur

3/4 part Fresh Lime Juice

Lime Wedge Garnish

Combine liquid ingredients in a mixing glass with ice. Shake or stir to blend and chill. Strain into a martini glass. Garnish with lime wedge.

Find more Classic Cocktails by following the link.

Thanks to Tom – cigarsmokingman, Jeff – undertakingbar, Steff – SteffChilds, Kathleen – CieloGold, rev_rum, Jim – jimmath, and Todd Richman for their participation in answering an informal question on my Twitter and Facebook page about top ten favorite classic cocktails. If you have more classic cocktail recipes to add to the list, please email me at str8upcocktails@gmail.com. I am always on the lookout to add more classic drink recipes to The Intoxicologist site as well as reader favorites. Please feel free to send along your photos, too.

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Posted in Classic Cocktails

Tagged Absinthe, Apricot Brandy, Chartreuse, Classic Bitters, Classic Cocktail, Club Soda, Creme Yvette, Dry Vermouth, Egg White, Fresh Lemon, Fresh Lime, Galliano, Gin, Ginger Beer, Grenadine, Heavy Cream, Lemon Lime Soda, Lime Cordial, Luxardo Maraschino Liqueur, Orange Curacao, Orange Flower Water, Orange Juice, Parfait Amour, Passion Fruit Nectar, Pimm's No. 1, Pineapple Juice, Rum, Rye, Simple Syrup, Vodka

Say Goodbye to Amateur Night

Posted on February 27, 2009 | Leave a comment

St. Patrick’s Day has earned the nickname, Amateur Night, due to the over-indulgent drinking habits of a few party goers. Swigs of green beer and green Jello shots make the rounds as simple themed Luck of the Irish sips that go down fast and easy. This holiday step things up a notch by slowing down the rounds and showing a few professional bar skills by mixing The Bäre Fizz. This won’t leave you looking like an amateur mixer! Shake and sip wisely.

March 17 is St. Patrick’s Day

The Bäre Fizz

1 ounce Irish Whiskey

1/4 ounce Honey Liqueur

1 bar spoon Fig Preserves

1/2 ounce Fresh Lemon Juice

1 Egg White

1-1/2 ounce Toasted Lager Beer

Fig Slice Garnish

Place all liquids (except beer) in a cocktail shaker (no ice). Dry shake. Add ice. Shake again to blend and chill. Double strain into highball glass. Top with toasted lager beer. Garnish with fig slice.

Cocktail recipe sponsored by representative of Michael Collins Irish Whiskey and Barenjager Honey Liqueur.